Of course - try this link: http://www.mh.state.oh.us/cnsmrrecovery/resources/gethelp.index.html
posted by katie82640 at 03:32 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
What a brave little "poster" you are. I eat humble pie on a regular basis, as some people do. I learn new things, get new facts and sometimes have to change my decision/ opinion.
I saw your last post turn into a joke and was wondering why, but that is par for the course for the majority of frequent "posters" in this group.
Everyone likes to complain here, but I do not see anything come out of their complaints. I do like the reference made to losing our local radio "talent" (very big quotation marks). Sort of draws a shady connection to local news.
However, what would be the purpose of this post? There is nothing of substance to this pie recipe that could make people change their mind. Or do people change their mind?
Here is a good recipe:
Power is around us all of the time. Human lives are impacted by decisions of those in power. If you don't like it, shift the power. Get people together, start a movement, start a company, start a blog, recruit people who share your values or can strategically help you out, and then take action. Then reflect on your action and make changes for improvement.
posted by jdmsbyrd at 03:41 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
katie,
that was hilarious
:)
posted by jdmsbyrd at 03:50 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
This is the perfect time of year to take a few moments and "re-connect" with the mechanic in your family and check those fan, alternator and power steering belts, your radiator hoses and perhaps the fluid levels in preperation for summer.
This message brought to you by and paid for by The Families That Crack Up Laughing When The Idiot Turns The Computer On, Inc.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:28 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
I don't use chemicals on our lawngrass. I only use organic lawnfood. I buy Espoma products from Black Diamond.
I prefer not to water the yard, since constant watering causes the grass to grow shallow roots, making the grass weak. My wife at times likes to water some of her non-native plants, which causes the grass to get a drink.
Since our West Toledo home is in the Oak Openings region, I planted Oak Openings natives in an area of the yard, and they do well with no care. As you would expect a native plant to act. If you have to spend a lot of time watering and fertilizing and talking to a plant, you've planted the wrong thing.
I use a mulching mower and leave the clippings on the grass. It's a myth that leaving grass clippings on the yard causes thatch. Using too many chemicals kills too many good miro-critters, which can lead to a build up of thatch.
From mid-May until late fall, I mow at the highest possible mower setting. Probably the biggest mistake people make with their yard is mowing it too damn short. It's not a golf green. Mow it tall. You'll mow it less often, it will stay greener longer during the hot, dry periods of summer, and it will look better.
Go organic. Bag the chemicals. It will take a couple of years for your yard to get off being hooked on chemicals. You may have to take a dethatching rake through the grass. Hard work, but it's worth it. Once you're in the organic lawnfood, mowing tall, no watering groove, you'll see a nicer yard that requires less care.
And remember, it's just lawngrass. I have never understood homeowner's fascination with lawngrass. What jackhole said a home should have a yard like a ball field? When I see a yard like that, I think what a chemical-laden, barren wasteland. That's the nice thing about an organic-lawnfood-no-watering-mowing-tall yard. It requires little work. Put down food 2 to 4 times a year and mow it a couple times per month. It's frigging lawngrass.
Before moving up here, I worked in the formulations lab in the research and development division of Scotts. I dealt with some nasty chemicals in bench-top scale testing both for the professional and consumer lines of their products. I worked in the lab for less than a year, but I still lost most of my sense of smell.
Even while wearing one of those big, scary-looking cartridge respirators that I was fitted for, one particular bench-top test product still managed to produce some wicked vapors that hurt my throat. That's when I told myself that if I ever have my own yard, I won't use chemicals nor will I pay someone else to put down the chemicals.
When that throat-irritating bench-top formulation finally made it to the pilot plant, it sent several people to the hospital. No matter. That forumlation eventually made it to full production for sale in even consumer products.
Nasty stuff. And many put that crap on their yards. I'm still sensitive to those chemicals. I feel them more than I smell them. If I get too close to a lawn and garden section in the spring in a store like The Andersons, I have to move out that area. I can't stay too long in Black Diamond in the spring and summer when they are fully stocked with WMDs for the yard.
I'm glad aldringham started this lawn care topic, since April starts this weekend. Move the clock forward one hour, right? I'm always amazed to see some homes with sprinklers running in April. What in the hell are you planting that requires watering in April in northwest Ohio?
posted by jr at 04:32 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
I'm always glad to help:
Humble Pie
3 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, butter, sugar, flour, vinegar and vanilla. Blend well. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake for 45 minutes.
posted by thenick at 04:35 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
jdmsbyrd - :-)
Ok - I have a very serious question.
My dog (you know that big ass dog I have?) is a male.
He always urinates in the same exact area about 15 foot out of the back door.
What is the deal with male dogs and dead grass? Anyway to bring it back - like even out the PH balance or something?
posted by katie82640 at 04:35 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
"This message brought to you by and paid for by The Families That Crack Up Laughing When The Idiot Turns The Computer On, Inc.
posted by BrianInFlorida"
Help,,I've fallen and I can't get up...............
posted by katie82640 at 04:36 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
Put a big assed paver brick on the "stained area" and encourage him to go out further. Then sneak to your neighbors, the one you abhor, and cut a piece of sod out the size of your stain and transpose them. Do it at night dressed in black so you won't be seen.
I read it in a magazine that shall remain nameless because their legal team is way bigger than mine.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 05:06 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
Ahhhh.....that's brilliant. I'll need to dust off my ninja outfit....
This is alot more humane than the 'ol clothespin solution.
posted by katie82640 at 05:08 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
lol
You all are mean :(
Doesn't seem like this is the place for humble pie.
Keep it local dammit. :)
posted by jdmsbyrd at 06:49 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
katie, my neighbor is a lawn care freak. He told me to try putting lime on the brown and yellow spots.
posted by starling02 at 06:58 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
JR,
Thanks for reminding me about daylight savings time. I almost forgot.
posted by junta330 at 07:04 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
I'm allergic to Humble Pie and also crow.
On the other hand, I have a recipe for relaxing/chilling out after getting worked up over the moronsity of others:
1 Guinness or other non love-in-a-canoe beer.
Directions:
Drink beer. When container is empty, obtain another full container. Stop drinking when relaxed/intoxicated/you can't stand to drink any more. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after drinking.
posted by anonymouscoward at 07:07 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
Jr, what chemical combination do you need if you have sandy soil? I am going to need to redo some parts of my lawn this year and I am trying to figure out the best way to do it. Anyone have any ideas or advice?
posted by chrismyers at 07:38 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
AC,
Ever tried an Irish Car Bomb? I swear, it tastes just like chocolate milk going down. Tasty and potent. From cocktail.com:
1/2 pint Guinness
1 oz Jamison
1/2 oz Bailey's Irish cream
Pour Guiness into a pint glass. Float Baileys on top of Jamison in shot glass. Drop shot glass, carefully, into Guiness. Drink quickly before it curdles.
posted by thenick at 09:33 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
At our house, we have that soft, sandy soil characteristic of the Oak Openings region. I don't know about chemicals because I don't use them. Dethatch your yard and overseed if necessary, but remember, grass spreads. It will fill in sparse areas on its own. If you have big bare areas, that will require extra attention to make sure the new seed takes root. You will definitely have to water when seeding new areas. Plus you have to protect the seed from the sparrows. And, of course, use organic lawn food.
Plant Oak Openings natives. Most of the OO plants require a good bit of sun, but the several different kinds of OO natives we've planted work fine in the area of our backyard that only gets a few hours of sunlight per day in the summer. Lots of big oak trees provide nice shade. Another reason lawngrass does okay without any watering. I think a store near Central and Douglas sells OO natives. The Andersons used to but not anymore. I've bought OO natives from the Kitty Todd nature preserve.
It seems most of the OO natives have thin stalks, narrow leaves, and small flowers. A nice, simple elegance. Not giant flowers and huge leaves. Walk Kitty Todd sometime for more info. Some of the OO natives grow to about 6' or taller and some only a foot or two. So you can easily get a decent mix of height and color and different blooming times. The smooth or blue aster plants we have don't bloom until late September. All good stuff, and I ain't no flower guy.
Speaking of flowers, anyone know what this little guy is? It was only two or three inches tall. It popped up earlier this month in the front yard along the street. I think my wife planted it some year. It's not one of our OO natives.
posted by jr at 09:35 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
yup - I think it's a Japanese crocus. My Gr'ma had them in her back yard years ago.
posted by katie82640 at 09:44 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
It's a crocus. Main Lady has them in her yard. You plant the bulbs in October and spend the entire fall chasing the squirrels away from them. Then they come up. They'll actually continue to bloom in the snow - I've got some pictures somewhere of about three inches of snow with little crocus flowers coming through.
posted by madjack at 09:55 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
I swear, it tastes just like chocolate milk going down.
The last thing I need is something that tastes really good and stays that way through the night.
After two of anything, it all tastes awful (probably my brain and body both telling me NO MORE), and it's pure masochism to get down four.
posted by anonymouscoward at 10:39 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
try a vodka tonic :-) Or two
posted by katie82640 at 10:58 P.M. EST on Wed Mar 29, 2006 #
I just wanted to add that the Calvin and Hobbes Box Set was truly an entertaining read.
Thank you Santa Clause.
Floritam is a sturdy grass. The problem with Floritam is the runners will grow into your flower beds unless you "edge" the beds regularly.
Wind damage is also a problem here. There are several thinner grasses, like bahia, that can't handle the combination of wind and direct sunlight, and with my area now forced to water twice a week to preserve our aquafier, it's going to make for a long long summer with MY sandy soil.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:56 A.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
Questions:
What do you all think of de-thatching? I have done it before and have mixed emotions on the results. That is tough work with a de-thatching rake.
Do you think there is a difference in the quality of Scott's fertilizer/weed killer over Meijer brand or Andersons? What brands do you like?
Anyone ever try the Jerry Baker formula? I know someone who swears by it. (Jerry’s the one who recommends putting beer and molasses on your yard)
posted by lloyd at 05:31 A.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
By the way,
UT was out cutting their lawns yesterday.
posted by lloyd at 05:34 A.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
I was out squeezing limes. Joking - actually I think you mix it with H20 and spray it on. I've been looking around. I realize it's just grass but it's my grass.
Half a ton indeed.
posted by katie82640 at 10:10 A.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
Before moving up here, I worked in the formulations lab in the research and development division of Scotts. I dealt with some nasty chemicals in bench-top scale testing both for the professional and consumer lines of their products. I worked in the lab for less than a year, but I still lost most of my sense of smell.
----------------------------------------
Yeah-and isn't Scott's the firm who is firing all employees who smoke? Sheer hypocrisy. I refuse to use their crap.
posted by Darkseid at 07:56 P.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
By the way...that looks like a crocus to me indeed, but I'm not sure just what variety. Mine are popping all over the place, but I don't have any that look like that one.
posted by Darkseid at 07:58 P.M. EST on Thu Mar 30, 2006 #
there is an evil plot afoot. I received a communication from Scott's in the mail yesterday.
They may be monitoring us............(looks furtively around)
posted by katie82640 at 09:47 A.M. EST on Fri Mar 31, 2006 #
So....
When's everyone planning on cutting their grass for the first time?
(I'm thinking next weekend for my pad)
posted by lloyd at 12:06 P.M. EST on Sun Apr 02, 2006 #
Don't you mean when are my kids cutting my grass?;)
posted by Offshore at 10:46 A.M. EST on Mon Apr 03, 2006 #
blink.....blink.....blink....hey! Where'd Aldringham go?
Snicker
posted by katie82640 at 01:53 P.M. EST on Wed Apr 05, 2006 #
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